Staples delivers points, rebates, and answers

19

A month ago, I started posting ways to earn free points and increase credit card spend by taking advantage of Staples’ free after rebate promotions on downloadable software.  My first rebate has arrived, so I can now answer some questions that I couldn’t before!

Promotional Items

  • Q: The Staples’ Terms and Conditions in the Ultimate Rewards Mall says that promotional items are excluded. Aren’t these free after rebate items “promotional”?
  • A: I’ve done this three times now, and my Ultimate Rewards points posted quickly each time.  So, either these items are not considered promotional, or Staples doesn’t enforce that restriction.

Rebate Time

  • Q: How long will it take for my rebate to arrive?
  • A: The Staples web site says to expect 6 to 8 weeks.  My first rebates arrived after about 5 weeks so it looks like Staples’ estimate is fairly accurate.

Number of Checks

  • Q: I bought 10 copies of the software.  Will I receive 10 $45 checks or one $450 check?
  • A: Well, my first rebate was actually a visa gift card, not a check, so I’m not 100% sure that checks will be the same, but with the Visa gift card I received just one.  For another rebate in which I requested a check, I received email confirmation that the check was on its way.  Strangely, I received 5 copies of this email even though I bought 10 copies of software.  Only time will tell what that means.

Download

  • Q: Do I have to download this software so that I can qualify for the rebate?
  • A: No!  I didn’t download any of the software I bought, but the first rebates processed successfully. 
  • Note: You might want to download a copy just in case.  A few days ago my accountant recommended that I try out Quickbooks software.  My first thought was “great!  I already bought that for free!”.  But then I saw that the expiration for download had already passed!  If any one reading this has a copy they can send me, please let me know.  My license keys should still be valid (I think…)

 

There is still time:

  • Until March 24th, you can earn thousands of free points from Staples by buying free after rebate software.  
  • If you tried this deal and your purchase has a status of “researching” just give Staples a call.  Once they verify that you really intend to buy this software, they’ll confirm the order.

 

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